MULTI-FIELD COUPLING AT ARMATURE-RAIL CONTACT INTERFACE BASED ON COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS AND TEACHING APPLICATION

In teaching of electromagnetic launch theory and technology courses, the armature/rail contact theory involves multi-field coupling processes such as structural mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics, which are relatively abstract and complex. Electromagnetic launching experiment relies on expensive pulse power supply and launching material, and its operation and safety control have a high risk, which makes it difficult to carry out experimental teaching. To address above teaching difficulties, COMSOL is introduced in multi-field coupling teaching at armature-rail contact interfaces. Taking current distribution at armaturerail interface as a teaching case, the software's application enables students to master manual modelling of armature/rail, calculation of interference contact pressure, coupling settings of structural mechanics and electromagnetic module, and viewing pressure and current distribution at 2D/3D contact interface. Compared with theoretical teaching, the experimental teaching based on COMSOL Multiphysics can effectively visualize multi-field coupling process at contact interface, which makes the teaching of the “Electromagnetic Launch Theory and Technology” course more persuasive, and improves teaching effectiveness and professional level. The research results help to improve students' logical thinking and active investigation ability, and providea useful reference for introduction of simulation software to integrate theoretical teaching and visual simulation in physics teaching.